A BIT OF A CRAIC

by New Kid On The Block

ULSTER FEDERATION AGM

The Ulster Federation held their annual AGM last week in the Olympia Leisure Centre Belfast . A good attendance was from most clubs and the event passed off without any hiccups with the major posts same as last year. Yours truly was relected Press Officer for the coming season and may I personally thank the members for putting me in this position and I hope I can promote the organization as much as possible in the coming 2010 season , as I did last season. Officials as follows :President : Paddy O Neill  , Vice President Jimmy O Hara  Chairman : Andy McFarland ,  Secretary : Jimmy O Hara ,  Financial Secretary Geordie Gaw , Race Controller Jimmy O Hara ,  PRO S . McGarry. Auditors P O Neill and A McFarland . The position of convoyer was advertised and the successful applicant will be informed by the committee .

Committee : P McCarthy , T O Reilly , P O Neill , J. Dillon , R. Taylor , J. Newberry , J. Patton , W. Savage , M. Johnston , M. Kelly , J. Rainey , H. Jennings .

It was passed that a Hall Of Fame Award be awarded to a bird three times a p/winner from the Old Bird Derby and a Gold Medal be awarded to a bird four times a p/winner .

It was also passed that photographic evidence be installed in the transporter . Also passed a £3  levie on each loft to cover the cost of drug testing. Defeated were the notices of motion ( A ) Prizes in Championship and Derbies be reduced ( B ) Fermoy and Skibbereen entrance fee be £ 10 with no pools .

Alexandria fanciers at the AGM

Caught on camera at the AGM

Caught on camera attending the Ulster Federation AGM

Fanciers attending the Ulster Federation AGM

The Top Officials Of The Ulster Federation 2010

WEST BELFAST HPS CHARITY EVENT

Last weekend I attended the cheque presentation of the above event. Over the Christmas period the club promoted a number of small raffles and held a major squeaker sale of gift birds with the final outcome a staggering £ 4,000 lifted . This was split into two charities and both recipients were in attendance last weekend to receive their cheques – N I Hospice and St Kentiqerns Hospice  , Asaph ( After Care Services ) Wales . The latter charity was in memory of a good friend of the clubs ,  the late Mr Wynne Roberts , who performed at the club , as a star hypnotist ,  on many an occasion . I must say the evening was one of the best I have ever attended . A personal invitation was given to all the donars of gift birds to the cheque presentation as a way of saying thank you for their help.  Stocky laid on one of his famous finger buffets , with the food as usual “ Fit For Any King Or Queen”. Also a first class evening of entertainment was laid on. On stage was a four piece band who acted the “ Rat Pack” ( dressed for the occasion) , and finished off the night with a Rock & Roll Show ( again dressed for the occasion). Also on the night we experienced “ The Neil Diamond Revival” and  “ The Young Shadow” ( One of NI up and coming superstars who makes the guitar talk reviving the music of “The Shadows” ). These guys were great entertainment and I would recommend them to any clubs up and down the country who are looking artists for the coming seasons prize nights. Interested ?? Give me a shout and I will give you their details. Before finishing I must pay a personal thank you on behalf of myself and the fancy in general to the man that made this event all possible. The man in question is none other than Mr Hugh Stockman , better known as Stocky to all his fancier friends . Stocky  through his contacts in the entertainment world gave the people who attended Fridays nights event a fantastic night, plus the buffet , all for free as a way of saying thank you for their support. Make no mistake about it Stocky is one of the greatest guys you could meet and the hospitality shown to all when you attend the West is top drawer.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and had a great time. Oh by the way , a certain gentleman celebrated his 65th birthday. Cant say his name as he feels 50. ( see the photo and guess who it is ) . Also on the night a major challenge was put on paper from “ Wee Eddie” to “Bubbles”. We are all backing you “ Bubbles” and hope you win the £1,000 . Before finishing this weeks notes I would like to make the fancy aware of a number of events that will be happening around the country in the coming weeks . I , along with a number of fanciers from most organizations , are arranging a series of Breeder / Buyer Charity events to be held around the country. Venue for the sales at present are Grosvenor HPS , West Belfast HPS and Glengormley HPS with also the possibility of Banbridge . The race the event will be flown from will be the INFC Skibbereen Y/B National . A presentation night has already been booked with the main theme of this particular event to include a Quiz night , Charity auction  ( already birds have been gifted by some of the leading lofts in the British Isles)  and a series of awards to be presented ( again  some already sponsored , but more on this and how they can be won in later columns ) . This series of events needs all the support possible but judging by the response of help and support that I have received from all angles of the fancy in general I can honestly say that I am overwhelmed with their support . Please keep watching the fancy press in the coming weeks as all the info and dates of the sales will be released .

Ken Wilkinson presenting Mrs Lynda Roberts, representing the St Kentiqerns Hospice, with a cheque for £2,000 towards her charity

Barry Telford presents the cheque to the N I Hospice

Birthday Cake to Guess Who

Enjoying the night out at the West

Fanciers enjoying themselves at the Charity Night

Having a great night out

Having a great night out at the West

The Rock & Roll Boys on stage at the West

The Young Shadow ( Chris Branniff ) on stage. This guy can make the guitar talk

Wee Eddie signs the agreement watched over by Bubbles

Further Info : Kingswood HPS in East Belfast held a sale of 20 young birds during their successful Boxing Day Open Show to finance a special race to be flown in conjunction with the INFC young bird national from Skibbereen on the 18th September 2010 - All the monies i.e. £1000 - Shall be paid out as specials & also a breeder / buyer prize.  Detailed information to follow - We would like to thank the following people for donating / buying birds . Breeders Name first / Purchaser Second  -  J Patterson/McMurray & Anderson, R Fear/E Burton, J Greenaway/McMurray & Anderson, M McConville/R Conlane, B Hogg/E Burton, A Milligan, R Conlane, Spence Brothers/E Burton, McMurray & Anderson/J Plant, Bingham & Seaton/K Wilkinson, J Young/G McCartney, Mackey & Lockhart/Mackey & Lockhart, M Johnston/Mackey & Lockhart, T & K Mawhinney/J Galbraith, A Cawford/R Cowan, K Wilkinson/A Crawford, J Watt/E Burton, D Parr/W Willis, Emerald Classic Entry/M Johnston, R & J Conlane/J Galbraith,  Campbell & Bigger /D Jackson, N Armstrong/E Burton.

Coming Events : Banbridge British Legion are hosting a Charity Breeder/Buyer sale to be held on Friday 26th March in the British Legion Banbridge. 50% of the total proceeds raised will be flown for with the other 50 % to be presented to the nominated charity , The Blue Dove Hospice , Newry . Three prizes are up for grabs – 50% 30% 20% ( split both ways) ,  with the nominated racepoint Penzance Y/B National to be flown with the INFC. Some top Y/B will be on offer donated by some of the leading lofts in Ireland. All Y/B must be in the pen on the night of the sale. For further details or if you wish to donate a youngster to this worthy cause give any of the following numbers a call : Diamond Carson Tel : 07813265311 , T. Lennon Tel : 07711409205 or E. McAlinden Tel : 07771813198. Any of these fanciers will be able to give you any info that you require. Please support this worthy cause and have a good night out with the lads.

 Banbridge Social are hosting their annual Breeder/ Buyer Sale on Friday 12th March at 8 pm with the birds on view at 7pm . Venue for the event is the British Legion , Banbridge. Last season the club paid out approx £1,800 over four prizes. This year , with all help possible , the event will be as good. If you are interested to enter a youngster in the sale feel free to contact Gary Mallen, Tel : 028406 69825 , and Gary will be only too happy to accept any entries for this event.

Drumnavaddy Invitation are hosting a Breeder/ Buyer Sale on 18th March at 8pm with the birds on view at 7pm . Venue for the event is the British Legion , Banbridge . The event will be flown from the Fermoy Y/B Race. For any further info  telephone 07547802590 or 07593666757. A top class sale with birds donated by some of the top lofts in the country.

Chimney Corner Football Club will be hosting a top quality sale of youngsters donated by some of the leading lofts in the country. The sale is to be held on Thursday 8th April at 8 pm with birds on view from 7 pm and the venue is Chimney Corner Football Club , Randalstown Road, Antrim . Youngsters have already been donated by some of the top lofts in the country with all proceeds to Chimney Corner Football Club to help promote the club within the area .

Carrick Social HPS are holding a sale on Friday 26th March at 8 pm with birds on view from 7 pm. The sale will be held in their own clubrooms in Prince William Way , Carrick and a number of youngsters have already been donated by some of the top lofts in the country inc. Rod Sparkes , Five Star Stud , Royal Oak Lofts , John Whittaker , S & F O Neill , J. Lindores & Son & Nicholson etc.  Any further info contact Telephone : 07818800655

Lost by Young Fanciers – Only Started In Sport – Blue W/F Hen – GB06 29652 – If found please contact : Telephone : 07920180506 

ANY FURTHER INFO - CONTACT – New Kid On The Block

Contact Details

Tel: 07737275820

Or email : newkidontheblock07@hotmail.co.uk

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